8 Outdoor Activities to Do This Summer
29 Jul 2022
Believe it or not, nearly a month of summer has already passed. Time is certainly flying by, but, luckily, there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the unbeatable weather.
In most cases, you don’t need to travel that far. Through a basic Google search, you can find any number of weekend excursions near your home. But, if you’re looking for a jumping off point, it always helps to have some basic guidance.
Here are a few ideas to help get you out of your home and into the great outdoors.
1. Peak your nearest mountain (or hill)
There are few experiences more empowering than staring out over the vast expanse after hiking to the peak of a mountain.
While not everyone has the luxury of living close enough to a mountain for a day trip, you can usually find a thrilling hike in close proximity to your home. In fact, there’s an app for it.
If you haven’t already, try downloading an app such as AllTrails or Gaia GPS to your phone. After sharing your location with the app, you’ll quickly receive suggestions for nearby hikes. Whether you live in the middle of a city or way out in the country, you can find the right hike for you and your family.
2. Go archery hunting
Decompressing after a long work week shouldn’t require a lot of effort. If you’re skeptical of that, just spend a day perched in a treestand out in the woods with only your bow and your close friends.
While archery seasons vary by state, several allow hunters to go out with their trusty bow during the summer months. If you’re brand new to archery hunting, it’s worth exploring your options and finding bow and arrows suitable for beginners.
On the other hand, if you’re an expert archer, there are any number of options. Experienced hunters can invest in gear to go into the wild and do some high-tech crossbow hunting using cutting-edge crossbows, arrows, and accessories.
3. Try Kayaking
The best type of outdoor activity is one that gives you a full body workout. Kayaking fits the bill, and all it requires is a nearby river or lake.
As you row your kayak, you’re strengthening your back and shoulder muscles, among others. All the while, you get to enjoy a day on the water and see sights you’ve likely never seen before.
Kayak rental businesses are also typically easy to find in any town near a waterway. So, you can take on a new hobby without having to make a huge investment.
4. Take a bike out for a spin
A bike trip makes for an ideal afternoon outing. Not only do you get to spend time outdoors, but you can also use the trip as an excuse to try out a new bar or restaurant.
As a hobby, biking is both fun and accessible. Most cities in the United States now have bike sharing services you can access through an app. Then, once you’ve reserved a bike, you can just cruise through the city’s network of bike lanes.
Even many of those who live in the suburbs or country can easily find a local bike rental shop. Once you’ve picked out a bike, open up Google Maps app and find the route for your next bike trip.
5. Bring back pickup baseball
Baseball is often called the great American pastime. Despite this title, you don’t see pickup baseball games as often as you once did.
It’s time to change that. Dust off your old glove, dig through your closet to find the bat you forgot you had, and head over to the field with your closest friends. It will take you on a trip down memory lane to your days of playing little league. Just be sure to stretch first.
Image by chulmin park from Pixabay
6. Go Camping
You don’t need to be an expert wilderness survivalist to spend a few quality days out in the woods. As long as you have a place to stay, a way to start your campfire, and food for everyone, you’ll be well prepared for a memorable camping trip.
If you’re new to camping, don’t overdo it. Buy a tent large enough for your entire family, but simple enough to set up without much experience. Then, find a nearby campground. Usually, these campgrounds will have all of the amenities you need to feel at home while you’re away.
7. Start a Garden
You can immediately taste the difference when you make a meal with fresh vegetables. And, of course, the best dessert for any summer meal is fresh fruit.
Let this be the summer when you finally plant the garden you’ve always thought about. Although many view spring as the season to plant new seeds, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that can be planted and grown throughout the summer. This includes popular summer dish ingredients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, melons and berries.
8. Begin your newest backyard project
Maybe you’ve been putting off building the patio of your dreams. Or, perhaps your deck is in need of repair. Either way, there’s no better time than now to get started on your summer backyard projects.
Even if you’re not a handyman or handywoman, you can find thousands of resources online on how to take on any backyard project. YouTube is a treasure trove for ‘do it yourself’ videos. There are also numerous websites dedicated to DIY projects worth reviewing, such as Family Handyman and Instructables. It’s safe to say you should have all of the instructional materials you need to get started.
Get started now
Although there’s plenty of summer left, it’s best to start planning your excursions now rather than later. Getting a head start never hurts, and it pays off in the end. Go out and have a fantastic adventure!
Tess DiNapoli
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.
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